Bereshis 13:16

16 And I will make thy zera as the dust of ha’aretz; so that if a man can number the aphar of ha’aretz, then shall thy zera also be numbered.

Bereshis 13:16 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 13:16

And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth
An hyperbolical expression denoting the great multitude of Abram's posterity, as they were in the days of Solomon, and as they will be in the latter day; and especially as this may respect all the spiritual seed of Abram, Jews and Gentiles, and as they will be in the spiritual reign of Christ, see ( Hosea 1:10 Hosea 1:11 ) ; so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, [then] shall thy
seed be numbered;
but as it is impossible to do the one, so the other is not practicable, see ( Numbers 23:10 ) .

Bereshis 13:16 In-Context

14 And Hashem said unto Avram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the makom where thou art northward, and southward and eastward, and westward:

15 For kol ha’aretz which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy zera ad olam (forever).

16 And I will make thy zera as the dust of ha’aretz; so that if a man can number the aphar of ha’aretz, then shall thy zera also be numbered.

17 Arise, walk through ha’aretz in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.

18 Then Avram moved his ohel, and came and dwelt in Elonei Mamre, which is in Chevron, and built there a Mizbe’ach unto Hashem.